Josh Burkman: I wouldn't leave WSOF for UFC

Josh Burkman is a man of his word. So when he signs a contract, you can expect him to fulfill the terms of it.

That’s why the resurgent welterweight, who upset former UFC title challenger Jon Fitch this past weekend in World Series of Fighting 3’s main event, won’t be returning to the UFC even if his former home made him a new offer.

Right now, his loyalty is to the WSOF, where he’s 3-0 with wins over Fitch, Aaron Simpson and Gerald Harris. Now 8-1 since his 2008 UFC release, Burkman recently nabbed an honorable mention slot in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA welterweight rankings.

That was a direct result of his 41-second guillotine-choke victory over Fitch (24-6-1), which aired June 15 on NBC Sports Network from Las Vegas. Before the fight, Burkman (26-9) spoke to both UFC matchmaker Joe Silva and company president Dana White, but as usual, it was more friendly than professional with his former employers.

“I have three fights left (on my WSOF deal), and I have no plans on getting out of my contract or trying to go anywhere,” Burkman told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “I’m very happy where I’m at.”

Burkman, who went 5-5 from 2005-2008 with the UFC, has been on the company’s radar during his recent run. In fact, after he submitted Jamie Yager in August at a regional show, he had a chat with Silva.

“After the Yager fight, my goal was to get back to the UFC,” he said. “I was talking to Joe Silva. Me and Joe still have a good relationship. After my victories, he tells me congratulations. So they’re watching and paying attention also.

” … (But) I have a contract. I signed a contract, and I’ll uphold my contact. If the UFC did come calling, I would talk to Joe like we always talk and tell them I have a contract and this is where I’m at.”

Burkman, though, knows the WSOF’s loyalty probably wouldn’t so outward if he weren’t winning. He knows MMA can be a “cutthroat” business and promoters “love winners,” but he said the organization gave him a stage – on national TV against known opponents – when others wouldn’t. For that, he’s grateful. And loyal.

Now, he’s been guaranteed a WSOF title shot in his next bout. While fellow WSOF 3 winner Steve Carl is the leading candidate to challenge him, Burkman said WSOF officials also have flirted with a tournament to determine his opponent.

Through it all, he just wants to help the WSOF raise its profile.

“My plan is to win that belt and help this organization grow,” he said.

That will keep him tied up in the WSOF for quite some time. Of course, he’s not ruling out a return to the UFC at some point down the line. He’s got nothing bad to say about his former home, but he also knows he wouldn’t be as important to the organization as he is to the WSOF So Burkman wants to see it through.

“Besides, the UFC’s got plenty of fighters right now anyway, right?” he said.

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.